Skype Conversation May Have Saved Woman’s Life

MACOMB COUNTY (WWJ) – It was a brief appearance Monday in Macomb County District Court for the man accused of trying to force his former girlfriend inside of a plastic Christmas tree bag — before, prosecutors say, he planned on murdering her.

Jonathon Elbers, 23, was foiled by police … due, in part, to an Internet conversation the victim was having with a friend when she was attacked earlier this month.

“The young lady happened to be Skyping with a friend at the time that there was a disturbance at the front door,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Bill Cataldo. “She never came back to the computer to continue the Skyping.”

Cataldo who said that friend, after hearing an argument, contacted the victim’s family, who then contacted police.

“There were threats that he was going to kill her,” said Cataldo.

Cataldo said the victim was alone in the home she shares with her parents, who were out of state at the time.

“She had in fact been wrapped up in a plastic bag, tied up with electrical wire, they found a loaded 22-long rifle,” he added.

Elbers, reportedly distraught over the recent break-up with the victim, faces several charges, including assault with intent to murder, unlawful imprisonment and assaulting an officer.